The iconic drama Teechers was first penned in 1984 by renowned playwright John Godber, but perhaps there’s never been a more pertinent time to bring this hard-hitting production back to the stage.

Reimagined for current times by Godber as Teechers Leavers’ 22, and produced by BlackEyed Theatre, the three-strong cast who perform this play within a play about a disadvantaged comprehensive school full of eccentric teachers and disaffected pupils are a literal tour-de-force to behold.

Directed by Adrian McDougall, Teechers Leavers '22 stars Ciara Morris as Gail, Michael Ayiotis as Salty and Terenia Barlow as Hobby.

The trio are set to leave Whitewall School but not before they take an audience through this high-energy two-hour long drama, taking on the roles of countless teachers and pupils we will all recognise as loving and loathing in our days at school, armed only with a couple of desks and a hard-working smoke machine.

In 1984 the UK’s comprehensives were already under immense stress, fast forward nearly 40 years and the aftermath of Covid, poverty and never-ending government targets have put staff and schools under staggeringly unprecedented pressure. As Mrs Parry quotes in the show, “We are led by donkeys”

Teechers Leavers’ 22 understands its audience, (the auditorium was packed with teachers and groups of enthralled students) and brings home to the message with constant hilarity, pure gritty emotion and frenetic song and dance, complete with cringe Tik Toks, and a few full-on fights thrown in for good measure.

And of course, the play is also a love letter to the arts; in 1984 drama was already being squeezed out of the curriculum, fast forward nearly 40 years and its only taught to students for one hour a week in favour of core subjects, as newly appointed and quickly cynical drama teacher Miss Nixon soon discovers.

The three young actors are simply fantastic in this show, which is definitely one for the bucket list. It’s hard to take your eyes off them then they switch from each hilarious character to the next with such talent, energy and ease.

5 stars

Reveiwed by Fiona McCartney at the Lichfield Garrick, Tuesday 21 March

Teechers Leavers’ 22 runs at Lichfield Garrick until tonight (Weds March 22), then visits the following venues; Crewe Lyceum, Thurs 20 April - Sat 22 April; The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 11 May - Fri 12 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 22 May - Wed 24 May; Albany Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 25 May